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Herd Size

Herd size has been recorded as ranging up to 15 animals in the
tropical rain forest and an amazing 37 in the Sonoran desert scrub and
grasslands of Arizona. Every hunting season there are reports of herds of 40
plus animals. In well over 20 years of hunting prime desert
habitat, the largest herd I've encountered was 18 animals. Interestingly, a
captive herd in a 600-arce fenced enclosure living in Arizona, protected from all
hunting and predators, never exceeded 35 animals. The 11 year herd size average was 29
animals (1973-83).

Unquestionably, hunting has a significant impact on populations.
Several studies over a 10 year period of hunted herds indicate herd size
averaged 8.6 animals (1972-81), with one hunt management unit recording
the high of 12.3 animals per herd (sample size was 33 herds).

Dynamics

Javelina appear to maintain very close social relationships.
They live in
herds which are generally viewed as very cohesive; members eat, sleep, and
forage together. Only rarely do aged or injured animals become solitary.
If you were to view a herd undisturbed for 30 minutes, one of the first things
you would notice is they are very gregarious, frequently rubbing against one
another, vocalizing back and forth with barks, grunts, woofs and purrs.

Javelina scent marking each other (click on photo to
enlarge) Photo Courtesy of the Desert
Life web site.

They
frequently "freshen-up" their herd mates, rocks, logs and brush with a
pungent musk, released from a nipple-size gland near the base of the tail.
In
places where Javelina routinely bed, feed, or travel, the odor is very noticeable.
Most experts believe their scent is probably an adaptation, used as a means of
keeping informed about the activities and whereabouts of others in the herd.

Herd hierarchy generally starts with the dominate boar and the remainder of the order is largely determined by size.
Although they are highly social creatures, Javelina are not rigidly organized
on the order of a pack of wolves. Juvenile or non-dominate boars are not driven
out of the herd by the dominate boar. Neither adult boars or sows seem to
serve as permanent leaders. There is some squabbling, but domination and status
appear to be of relatively small concern.

Studies in both Arizona and Texas indicate animals move into and
join adjacent herds. Mostly males, primarily in the winter and spring,
corresponding with peak breeding months.

Forming a New Herd

There are several opposing theories on how new herds are formed.
It appears that availability of suitable "unclaimed" habitat, herd
size, breeding/dominancy related occurrences are significant triggering factors.
A study in Texas found herds divided into feeding sub groups (separate from the
main herd) in the summer. An Arizona study revealed four adult males which
fed and bedded together for almost six months, covering an area of 300 acres or
about 25 percent of the territory size used by the main herd which surrounded
them. When they were observed "with" the main herd significant
chasing, tooth popping and mating behavior was observed--this suggests that the
four were young subordinates or outsiders trying to join the herd, but were
continually repulsed by the herd. Note: Acceptance of the four males
by the herd was achieved with the coincidental disappearance of the two dominant
males in the herd during the archery hunt.

Territories are marked by rubbing of the rump gland against
rocks, tree trunks, and stumps; this leaves smears of an oily fluid as a marker.
Scat piles of defecation have also been observed along territorial borders and
are believed to be markers. Both sexes actively defend the home range.
Javelina fend off attackers by squaring off, laying back their ears,
and clattering their canines. In fight, they charge head-on, bite, and
occasionally lock jaws.

Feeding

Feeding Javelina (click on photo to
enlarge) Photo by AP Jones.

Feeding activity depends on temperature and food availability.
Javelina are more nocturnal in the hotter summer months. In Texas, studies
revealed peccaries to be nocturnal in the spring, summer, and fall and very
active during the daylight hours in the winter months. Feeding subgroups
are formed frequently, and sometimes even serve as the initial nucleus of a break-off
from the original herd.

Scent

Javelina maintain contact through scent
marking and a variety of vocalizations. Javelina scent can be best described
as a "musty smell" similar to a skunk, but not as strong. When
approaching from down wind it's very common to smell them before you see them.
The scent gland (on its back) is rubbed against tree trunks, rock outcroppings,
and other objects for territorial marking. The dorsal rump gland is also
used as recognition and identification. In greeting, herd members rub each
other, head to rump.

Common Vocalizations

Javelina are moderately vocal, they make several distinctive
vocalizations/noises. These vocalizations can be classified into
three general categories: aggressive, content, and alert.

Aggressive

"Growls"
Generally fairly loud, can be heard at ranges approaching 150 yards.
Normally associated with aggressive behavior between two Javelina

"Tooth clicking"
Rapid fire snapping of the upper and lower jaw. It's best described as similar to hitting two bones together at a
machine gun rate. Very intimidating!. Used
as a warning, as an attack may follow. Cornered, wounded, or distressed
animals often make this sound.

Content

"Grunts" Individual
animals will often times make constant (low-volume) grunts while feeding or
engaged in herd activity.

Alert

"Woofs"
Generally made when startled, spooked, or disturbed. Herd will
either cease all activity and freeze in an attempt to determine source of danger
or will run while continually making "woof" call.

"Squealing"
Piglets will often squeal when separated from sow or harassed. Herd
members generally respond to piglet "squeals".

Note
to readers. The Javelina University section was developed from
information derived from over 20 different Javelina related informational
sources. Please visit the References page.